This book titled “Operation Chowhound…The most risky, most glorious US bomber mission in WWII” by Stephen Dando-Collins, is now available for loan at the Bemus Point Library. Submitted photo

BEMUS POINT — In 75 years, nothing has been written about an historical mission until a book entitled “Operation Chowhound” by Stephen Dando-Collins was printed.

Phil Wight, a World War II veteran, acquired a copy of this book for the Bemus Point Library and dedicated it to the memory of his father: Thomas H Wight, Mother Nellie Helena Wight and his brother Captain Douglas R. Wight, who was killed fighting the Japanese in 1944.

Here is the story of the event told by Wight, who was there:

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I was lying in my bunk in Great Ashfield, England, home of the 385th bomb group, 8th Airforce. I was pleased with myself because the war was about over and I didn’t have to bomb any more people. Two weeks earlier our group carried out a mission to Roan, France to eliminate a battalion of Nazis who were still fighting. We loaded the B17 with jelly bombs, which were highly flammable. As we gained altitude the jellies started out of the bombs like worms and scared me. We finished the mission and eliminated the stronghold, but also a lot of civilians, I’m sure. As I lay on my bunk, over the loud speaker I heard an announcement “all personnel to volunteer for a food mission to fly to save starving people in Holland — appear on the flight line.” Two hours later I was standing on the open Bombay of a B17 at 400 feet above the ground, throwing out bags of fruit. The plane was jumping all over the sky because of low altitude and all the planes were flying and dropping food.

In 1990, I was walking the beach of Hilton Head and I met a man who greeted me in awkward English, who said he was from Amsterdam, Holland. I said, “I know Amsterdam!” I told him of the food mission. He asked me if I was in the 8th Air Force. He explained at 19 years old he stood on a building and watched us drop the food. He started hugging me and said “You saved our lives!” He was amazed that we were flying so low and not crashing into each other. When we finished and I was walking down the beach, something came over me. I felt the Lord reached down to me and said “Phil, I forgive you for dropping bombs and now instead saving people.” I felt that something had been lifted from my shoulders and I thanked the Lord.

I want to thank my son-in-law and the memory of his father First Lt. Joseph Conlon, who was shot down over Germany and spend years as a POW. I also wish to give respect and honor to all those who served this great country.

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This book titled “Operation Chowhound…The most risky, most glorious US bomber mission in WWII” by Stephen Dando-Collins, is now available for loan at the Bemus Point Library.

“We are happy to honor Mr. Wight for his service to this country and for bringing this heartwarming story to our attention,” said Shannon Donovan, Bemus Point Library director.